The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1887-06-24
Class History.

CLASS HISTORY OF THE CLASS OF 81
READ BY MISS BESSIE BEARDsLEY AT
THE COMMENCEMENT EXERCISES, JUNE
80. ,o
Some len or twelve years ago, thirteen
parents might have been seen vending
their way TO the school building, leading
by the hand thirteen small children, whose
acquaintance with the school teacher was
about to begin. Who of those scholars
will ever forget how great an honor 1t was
considered in those days to pass around
the water? How earnestly each one strove
for that honor Who will ever forget the
lecture received in the seventh grade for
getting higher than our heads? Who, also
of that defiant group, gathered in the Pro-
fessor's office one bright May morning, can
ever forget that memorable May.Day spent
on the river bank, regardless of unrecitcd
lessons? But how many times have those
scholars wearied of school, how often they
have begged their parents to. allow them to
remain at home; and how often, as they
grew older and school was not compulsory,
have they become discouraged and almost
given up. in despair! But perseverance
will accomplish much; and you see before
you this evening the renowned Glass OF
's7, whose wisdom, intelligence, and origi-
nality are so widely known all over the
city of Owosso
Three years ago last September, we, n
class Of thirty, entered the High School
with smiling faces and beating hearts,-we
were members of the High School. Who
can tell with what pride ourhearts swelled,
how our minds gloried in the the thought
that at last, at last, we had reached the
stepping stone TO honor and distinction
the High School? But we soon found that
we must do some good solid work, if we
would reach the goal of our ambition
graduation. Under the wise rule of Mr..
Seelye. the careful guidance of Mr.. Thom-
as, and the friendly aid of Miss Blenkiron,
pleasant though uneventful year was
passed, at the close of which we were
forced to part with our esteemed teacher,
Mr.. Thomas
Our members diminished by twelve and
increased by one, we entered the second
year of our career in the High School with
mingled feelings of curiosity and fear.
Mr.. Stanard was to fill the place of Mr..
Thomas. "What is he like?" was the
question that at once arose in our minds;
and then came the fear that we should not
like him as teacher. Our highest hopes
were more than realized. Mr.. Stanard
was model teacher; as full of fun as any
boy, but with firmness of character which
commanded the respect of the boys and
the admiration of the girls.
1t was on sultry afternoon during this
year that smile was seen on some of the
scholars faces in the southeast corner of
room. The smile spread until the whole
room was one sea of smiling, or rather
laughing faces. At length the attention Of
the teacher was attracted. What was the
matter? A look was sufficient. One of
the Class of 81 had had the audacity to
fall asleep, and it was not until the cry
came from his teacher, breakfast is ready"
that he awoke, alas, not to the realization
OF fragrant coffee and smoking beafsteak,
but to the overpowering sense that his les
sons were still unprepared.
Again bitter disappointment awaited
us at the close of our second year. With
real sorrow we bid farewell to Mr.. STAN
ard, whose patience with us and whose
success in making school pleasure rather
than bore, will never be forgotten by the
members of the Class of 'S7. His reign,
though "short, was sweet, and will ever
remain bright spot in our memory. 1t
was with feelings Of scarcely less pride and
importance than those with which we first
entered the High School, that we at length
reached our Junior Year. We entered
this year with only fourteen members,
eight Of our number having joined other
classes or entered other fields of usefulness.
But we were increased by two members
AAOhi thO Oiuoo VA w, ohA OhO oetohSOtS
making in all three new members. In the
early part of the year we met and organ
the Class with president, vice.president
and all the other officers customary to So
cieties. AT Mr.. Carman's advice we soon
began preparations for our Junior Exer-
cises. We decided to undertake something
entirely different from what any other
class had presented to the public.
As the holidays approached, Mr.. Carman
urged us to visit him at his home in Ann
Arbor, to get some points at the University
for our exhibition. Seven girls and one
lone, solitary boy accepted his invitation,
and a very pleasant time was passed by
them in the city of students. That some
points were obtained which rendered our
exhibition the most interesting Of any ever
given, can well be vouched for by those
who listened In the scornfuI ionohle worda